"" I suggest you go home right away it is dangerous to stay in this place around this time.""
Speaking towards a girl who seems to be in her own thoughts is Satoshi Leon who caught sight of her sitting down in the park when the sun was about to set. Although Leon wouldn't want to speak to the girl, he became worried when he knew that the place is dangerous at this time.
Leon who was a first-year high school student knew that this place was dangerous as he had seen some dangerous stuff happen at this very place. Seeing that a female classmate he knew was at this place and time got him worried.
"" If you don't leave now something bad is going to happen to you Himari-san this place is a gathering for thugs you know?""
The girl in question was Himari Hayami a beautiful, sweet girl who is one of the popular students in school known as the "Angel" in their school. Her well-groomed, black hair was always silky smooth, and her milky-white skin was always soft. She is also one of the people who placed in the top spots of the class in academics and an ace in gym class. It was only a coincidence that Leon had talked to her as the situation calls for him to interfere but normally, he wouldn't talk to someone like her as she is like an unreachable person for most people.
Leon who was trying to get home from his shopping on Monday coincidentally saw Himari spacing out in a park leading to the situation right now.
"" Satoshi? Oh, please don't mind me I was just thinking of something you don't need to worry about me. ''
Leon was rather shocked that the girl called "Angel" had remembered his name, but he knows that she wouldn't drop her guard down. Although Leon had no ulterior motive in approaching her, he also didn't mind her pushing him away as she was popular and had received many romantic advances from the boys at school.
"" Although I would like to leave as soon as possible I can't just leave you here. I know that my actions are suspicious but please leave right now before it becomes a problem. It's already dark out I don't think it is safe for a girl to be outside here.""
"" I'll leave in a while so you don't really need to worry about me you can leave first.""
"" Ok then I'll go first then, please be careful when you leave.""
I turned and moved towards the exit of the park at a steady pace but thinking back, she made a lonely face contemplating something. Well, it's not really my problem but I guess people have their own issues as well.
I decided to take a detour towards the vending machine to buy iced coffee before returning home. As I turn to a corner, I saw Himari being accompanied by a boy who looked like a thug.
"" Come on, the night is young you should just enjoy the present time and let go.""
Although he looks like a thug, I very much think that this guy has decent knowledge about society but seriously trying to flirt with a girl who is clearly uncomfortable in this situation is an embarrassing sight.
"" I really need to go home now; I have to study for tomorrow, and also can you please leave me alone, I don't know you that much.""
Himari although looking calm, was trying to push the person away politely but to no avail, the boy pushed on with his advances.
"" Aaawww don't be like that, you look like you need to let out something that is on your mind come on I'll give you a good time. The boy said while trying to grab Himari's hand.""
At that moment I felt like time slowed down, my body moved by instinct the groceries I was carrying were dropped and I rush to intercept the hand that was going to grab Himari. Grabbing onto the boy's hand I pulled it back and held it firmly.
"" I don't think that is how you treat a girl people like you disgust me. Now I've done it, I insulted the boy right at his face directing his attention at me. I suggest you leave her alone she is clearly uncomfortable with your presence.""
""Why are you trying to stop me!? ""
The boy faced me, anger was shown on his face.
"" I don't know who you are but if you are trying to get in my way your gonna regret it. Now let go of my hand and leave!""
I faced the boy with a calm face staring right at his eyes.
"" Leaving should be your part I'm a classmate of this girl and she clearly doesn't want to go with you anywhere. Also, the way you speak with her isn't good either.""
We both stared at each other in silence not giving an inch of fear towards the other.
"" Himari-san if things escalate can you run away you don't need to worry about me, I can handle myself.""
Himari's eyes became teary when she heard that I'm guessing she felt guilty about dragging me into this situation.
"" Fine, I'll leave now let go of my hand it is a waste of time anyway.""
The boy said interrupting my thoughts.
Well, that was easily averted although my guard was still up, I slowly start to weaken the grip of my hand on the boy's hand.
In the instant that his hand was free the same hand was trying to backslap me. I instinctively stepped back dodging the attack by a hair. He then aimed a sharp punch at my unguarded spot, but I took a step forward while leaning my body to the side grabbing his hand and using his momentum throwing him forward away from Himari.
"" You move well kid have you been taught martial arts? You're probably good at fighting but dodging is not enough to take me down you know?""
I don't know if he is taunting or praising me but right now Himari is behind me, and I can't afford to dodge since she may get hit. she may have been too shocked to run away seeing that a fight broke out.
""Himari-san are you alright? Don't worry everything will be alright just stay back and run when you recover.""
Reassuring her should be the correct move since that will bring her senses back.
In the midst of that conversation the boy rush towards me extending his hand. Grabbing that hand would be a disadvantage so I took a step forward lowering my stance to block his arm rather than the hand then I threw off his momentum by slapping the arm away. This caused the boy to lose his balance as he stepped back from me, but I took advantage of it by pushing forward and kicking back the leg that was supporting his body. I then grabbed the hem of his clothes slamming his body to the ground leaving him unconscious.
"" Himari-san we need to leave now.""
I said that to the still shocked Himari grabbing her wrist leading her away from the place. When both of us had gotten some distance away I looked at Himari who had a look of uneasiness.
"" Hey, are you alright? You should take a taxi if you want to go back at this time look it's already dark out it's bad for a girl like you to walk in these dark streets that kind of thing can happen to you again if you don't be careful.""
Looking at Himari she was slowly recovering from her shock right now well it's not surprising that a fight broke out but why would she be this shocked.
""S-sorry I was surprised to see that you are good at fighting, thank you for helping me out.""
Himari replied but there was a hint of fear in her voice.
Was she really afraid of what happened?
"" Well, what are you going to do now? I can't just leave you here alone you might get attacked again so I'll keep you company until you leave. Don't worry I won't do anything to you I'll just be nearby if you need anything.""
I said that as I distanced myself from her giving her some space to think.
"" I guess you're right, I think I should call a taxi to pick me up from here.""
Himari slowly returned to her usual demeanor in school, but she was still wary of me.
"" Well, I guess I should wait until the taxi arrives then.""
I took the chance to examine any damages to myself, so I took a stretch and leaned against the wall some distance away from Himari.
"" Hey Satoshi-kun?""
"" What is it?""
Hearing Himari's voice I turned my attention towards her and flinched a little after I looked at her.
"" Hey now you don't need to be so wary of me I won't do anything.""
"" I'm sorry for not listening to you earlier because of that I got you in this mess right now. I did not think that this would happen, I just wanted some alone time to gather my thoughts.""
"" There is no need to worry about that I could have decided to ignore the situation, but I decided to intervene since I don't want to have someone I know experience something like that. Besides, I think anyone would try to help you in that situation.""
"" Satoshi-kun is good at fighting, so is it true that you were a delinquent during middle school?""
""Why would you think of that?""
Now, this is surprising if I were to interpret what she said then she thinks that I was a delinquent.
"" Wait how did you arrive at that conclusion?""
"" Well, you did take down a 3rd-year senpai on the first day of school, right? He was a delinquent, so I guess people connected the dots and assumed that you were a delinquent as well.""
"" Huh?! Just because of that I was branded a delinquent. Isn't there a more detailed explanation about this? I was surprised to know that people judge others like that. Wait, is that why everyone in school is avoiding me?""
Although I was a freshman student in this school, it is reasonable for the students in my class to not talk to me but if that is the reason why people don't talk to me then.
"" I guess the rumors are false then, you don't seem like the type to attack someone in front of people.""
Himari looked at me with her amethyst-like eyes with a look of relief now I realized why everyone calls her the "Angel". Having a good personality, treating everyone nicely, and has good looks to boot she deserves to be called that.
"" Well, that's new to me I don't know what to say about tha—""
I was cut off by a car stopping in front of both of us.
"" Seems like my ride is here do take care of yourself Satoshi-kun, thank you again for helping me.""
She said that as she got in the taxi.
Well then, I guess I should go home as well.
I thought to myself as I begin walking to my apartment. It took 10 minutes to finally arrive at the doorstep of my apartment and just then I realized that I forgot something important.
What a terrible blunder, I forgot my groceries back at the vending machine.
This is a problem; I can't cook any dinner at this rate, and I hate to buy fast food.
While I was thinking about what to do the door next to my room opened revealing none other than Himari the "Angel".
Wait she is my neighbor how come I did not know that? Never mind that I have a bigger problem to solve.
"" Satoshi-kun? Why are you here? A confused Himari was staring at me standing in front of my door. You live beside my apartment? well that is a coincidence I did not know you live right beside me.""
"" Same here I did not really pay attention to my neighbors here, so it is a coincidence to know that you're my neighbor.""
I replied then returned to thinking again.
"" Is there something wrong Satoshi-kun? You look like you were spacing out.""
Apparently, Himari managed to see through me.
"" You don't need to worry about me I just forgot to take the groceries that I bought when I saved you from that boy.""
Hearing the reason for my actions earlier Himari's face looked down.
"" Ah it was because of me right I made you forget about your groceries I'm really sorry. Do you still need to get it? It's already dark out.""
"" No need to be concerned about me, those groceries would have probably been found by some homeless person by now. They must be happy for that blessing. I guess I should buy dinner at the convenience store nearby then.""
"" Wait, it's my fault that you left them behind I should pay you for that.""
Himari offered to pay as she was guilty that she made me forget about my groceries.
"" You don't need to pay me anything, it was clearly my fault since I did not think of it after I saved you so I would like to refuse.""
"" Still, I feel guilty about it. Oh, have you eaten your dinner yet?""
"" No, my dinner and breakfast were in those groceries I was going to prepare them when I arrive back actually.""
I answered truthfully, there was no reason for me to lie after all.
"" Then I'll handle your dinner and breakfast, for now, I want to repay you for helping me earlier. I don't like to be indebted to other people so please let me repay you for everything you did.""
"" I don't mind you not repaying me but if you really insist then I'll accept your kindness. Well, I guess that solves my food problem thank you Himari-san.""
I expressed my gratitude to her for helping me.
"" Please wait for a moment I will begin cooking in a while I'll knock on your door when it is ready. Also please bring me a container later when it is ready, thank you for giving me a chance to repay you.""
"" Alright, I guess I should go inside please take care of me later.""
I went inside my room and took a bath then went to the living room to started to review the lessons in class earlier. I spent 30 minutes reading the materials until someone knocked on the door of my apartment. I when towards the door opening it revealing Himari with a pot containing food.
"" Good evening, Satoshi-kun I brought dinner do you have your container with you?""
Himari said that while showing the pot containing pork with tomato sauce and vegetables inside.
I gave her my container and she begin to give me my share of dinner. While she was doing that, I unconsciously stared at her who was wearing an apron over her home clothing. She wore a long-sleeve black blouse which emphasized her elegance and beauty complementing her luscious black hair and amethyst eyes. This was accompanied by her black pajamas helping to emphasize her milky-white skin.
I was entranced by her beauty; I quickly averted my eyes since that would make her uncomfortable if she saw me staring at her. She was focused on transferring the food that I started to think that she looked like a defenseless animal in the woods.
"" Okay, I think this should be enough.""
I cut off her actions seeing that the container I gave was filled with food.
"" Thank you for sharing part of your dinner with me I appreciate it.""
"" Don't thank me yet Satoshi-kun I don't know if it would suit your tastes so tell me if it doesn't, I really want to repay you.""
I guess she was still thinking about her being indebted to me as such a good girl.
"" I think it will be alright, the aroma of the food is good I think it will be delicious to eat.""
I reassured her doubts although it was different from her usual demeanor she looked like an ordinary girl with ordinary worries. The title of "Angel" was nowhere to be seen in the Himari who was in front of me.
"" Is that so? Then I'll be taking my leave then Satoshi-kun good night! She said that as she went inside her apartment room. Oh, by the way, Satoshi-kun I'll give you your breakfast tomorrow so please expect me to knock again.""
"" Yeah, thank you Himari-san sorry for troubling you. Good night to you as well.""
I said that as I went inside my room.
I went to the table and started to eat the food Himari gave me. I took some leftover rice from earlier's breakfast and poured the salsa of the dish to heat the rice. The aroma of tomato salsa filled the room, I began to dig in and as expected.
"" Delicious.""
I mumble my thoughts slowly finishing the food in front of me.